School inspections are 'too public' exposure, warn headteachers

MOST head teachers are unhappy with the way their schools are inspected, according to a new report.

MOST head teachers are unhappy with the way their schools are inspected, according to a new report.

Sixty per cent of head teachers questioned by the researchers were unhappy with the accountability of the process.

Their strongest complaints were over what they saw as unfair or unbalanced depictions of their school - and a "too public" exposure of weakness.

The unhappiness was disclosed in a research report commissioned by the Scottish Government into the views of head teachers, their recruitment and their retention.

The research was commissioned to study why becoming a head teacher is becoming less attractive as a career option.

Tories seized on findings which said head teachers want more control over the running of their schools.

Fifty-three per cent felt they had only limited discretion on staffing matters, and a third said they had "very little" general autonomy.

Tory education spokeswoman Liz Smith said: "I welcome their report which confirms exactly what the Scottish Conservatives have been saying for a long time - namely that head teachers across Scotland would like to have far more control over the running of their schools.

"Scottish Conservative polling has found that three quarters of Scots agree with this.

"Only 20% of the head teachers questioned in this survey feel they have a considerable degree of autonomy when it comes to taking major decisions, and one third feel they have very little autonomy at all."

The research findings said most head teachers worked more than 50 hours a week and 70% reported they were concerned at the "emotionally demanding" nature of the job.

Nearly three-quarters - 72% - were also concerned at the impact of the job on their non-work lives and the same proportion were concerned at "public grading of school performance".

Factors which put teachers off the prospect of a headship included the application and interview process, lack of support, and "negative perceptions" of the job.

But the researchers said their "overwhelming" finding was that however challenging and stressful, heads saw their job as a privilege and a valued chance to make a difference to children's learning.

The main factor influencing their job satisfaction was autonomy - which was decided by "the interplay of conditions" within the control of heads, councils and the Scottish Government.

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "What this report shows is that, overwhelmingly, head teachers see their position as a privileged opportunity to encourage pupils in their learning and to help them develop.

"For all teachers - and in particular headteachers - the role can at times be emotionally demanding and this report also highlights the pressure that they can experience."

She said: "Many of the report recommendations are for local authorities to consider and the Scottish Government will work with councils, unions, the Association of Directors of Education Scotland, professional associations and other partners to take these forward."